Nursing staff can be confronted with difficult situations – it takes a special skill to turn these situations positive. Joy Andrews, RN, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, has that skill thanks to her kindness and compassion, and for that she has earned the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The staff on Andrews’ floor had been confronted by an angry visitor who claimed they had broken her glasses. But after a little investigation, the visitor admitted she had made up the story because she couldn’t afford a new pair. Andrews, who works on the 3 Layfield medical-surgical unit, took time to talk with the woman. She found the woman’s glasses were so old and scratched, she couldn’t even see out of them anymore, and she had no resources to get to a vision center or pay for glasses. Joy found an older pair of glasses and a case at home, and brought them in with her the next day. She gave the visitor the glasses – Joy says the woman exclaimed, “I can see!” when she tried them on. But Joy didn’t stop there. She educated the woman on low-cost resources in the area to have her vision checked and new custom glasses made. Joy’s kindness went beyond a simple commitment to customer service. She reached out and saw a human in need, and helped. Her colleagues say they feel fortunate she brings her caring heart to the bedside at Peninsula Regional every day.
For making such a difference in the lives she touches, Andrews was honored with the Daisy Award in a ceremony before her colleagues. She received a certificate commending her for being an extraordinary nurse. The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” She was also presented with fresh flowers on behalf of the Peninsula Regional Medical staff, and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. To nominate an exceptional nurse, visit www.peninsula.org/DaisyAward and share a story.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation Bonnie Barnes said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at PRMC are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
